Thanksgiving weekend, Suzy, Laila(our 5yr old Boxer) and I headed to Ocean Pines to stay with her parents. Her brother's family was there also but not quite a full house like our visit in the summer. When we got there, we got so wrapped up in wedding talk, it was well after 1p.m. before Joan realized the turkey wasn't in the oven! Everyone helped out although most of the prep work had been done. Suzy and I tag-teamed the apples for the stuffing. No harm, no foul... we were eating our delicious feast by 6 p.m.
Friday we picked up our Save the Date magnets, did a little shopping, and then headed over to Lighthouse Sound for our Wedding Tasting. The food was AMAZING!! Everything we tried was phenomenal. Thankfully Suzy and I had already narrowed down our choices before we got there our we would still be debating. We assumed they would bring us portions of the entrees...WRONG! They brought the full entree choices with sides. Needless to say, our guest will not leave our wedding hungry. We could not have chosen a better venue.
That Sunday, we had Thanksgiving #2 with Suzy's our Spring Break crew and friends. I made Green Bean Provencal. It was weird making a side-dish but it went over well. There was a tons of food there also, but I could not fully stuff my face. The Bears were playing the Eagles at 4pm and I was not about to miss that.
A couple weeks later, Suzy and I went to her Social Studies Department Holiday Party. I made one of the appetizers from our tasting, Marinated Steak Bites w/ Bloody Mary Dipping Sauce. It was a big hit, especially when people found out where I got the idea. The highlight of the evening was not the food, but all the alcohol that was present. I had more Jameson's Irish Whiskey than a pub in Chicago on St. Patrick's Day. But no time for the weary...
The next day we had a Christmas party at my Dad's house to attend. His wife Dorothy must have been in the kitchen for a month. I have never seen so much food. They must have entertained 30 people and everyone took an extra plate home. The same thing happened a week later at my Mom's home, but on a smaller scale. Beverly made a lot of food but this time we contributed. I made a baked shrimp scampi that was scrumptious, Mom even called me for the recipe!
Unfortunately, the threat(and I do mean threat) of snow kept us from attending the Christmas dinner with Suzy's family. We were able to get to Ellicott City to exchange gifts. I truly feel blessed. We got gifts from her family that involve the three C's. Calphalon, Crock pots, and the Chicago Bears. I know what your asking yourself..."What did Suzy get?" A lot of yummy meals and very happy fiance!!!
Last year at Christmas, Suzy and I handed out candy canes and cards to our co-workers at Bonefish. This year I decided to step it up a notch. I paired our two crock pots and made chili for everyone working. Suzy and I got to work at 5 p.m., the crock pot was empty by 5:30. I was able to sneak a few bites for some of the bar regulars. Everyone loved it.
These last couple months have been hectic with all the family visits, food, parties, and work. But I wouldn't have it any other way. 2010 ended with a bang, but I have a feeling that 2011 will be a much better year for us!
